The Times reports one malefactor, an Ontario prison guard, smuggled rattlesnakes into New York by hiding them “throughout his van in door compartments”; the Albany Times-Union says at the DEC’s press conference “the sound of the agitated snakers’ rattles could be heard.” Also caught in the DEC’s net was a Louisiana turtle farmer who hid “illegally harvested” snapping turtles among his home-grown testudines and later sold them to the Chinese, who consider them good eating.

Some of the apprehended wildlife criminals are up on felony charges; those involved in the Louisiana snapping-turtle racket are suspected of breaking federal wildlife protection laws and will be prosecuted by the Feds. “Illegal trafficking of turtles, snakes and other animals is a serious matter,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kathleen M. Mehltretter to a no doubt delighted press corps, “precisely because such activities can produce long-term, detrimental effects to the eco-system.” Altogether over 2,400 reptiles were involved; Of these 400 have been rescued by the DEC, which is holding them as evidence or as protected witnesses, depending on how you look at it. Photo (cc) wsweet321.